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About the Poet
Toru Dutt (1856–1877) was a Bengali poet, who wrote in English and French. She was born to father Govind Chandra Dutt
and mother Kshetramoni of the Rambagan Dutt family. Toru was the youngest child after her sister Aru and brother Abju. Both
of them died and Toru was gripped in deep sorrow. Toru died at the age of 21.

Time to answer
A. Colour the correct box.

1. What is being compared to a python?

the bird and bees around the boughs of the tree

the trunk of the Casuarina tree

the creeper around the tree

the grey baboon

2. Why is the casuarina tree being called a giant?

because the tree looks like a huge python

because its flowers are so big that they appear to touch the sky

because its leaves look like a giant wearing a scarf

because it is very tall, its top appearing to be close to the stars

3. What does the colour grey of the baboon signify?

its similarity to a statue its similarity to the breaking of dawn

its gender its age

4. On what does the tree cast its shadow?
on the baby baboon on the water lilies

on the poet on the children playing under it

B. Answer these questions.

1. Describe the casuarina tree.
2. Where do the cows go?

3. Why does the poet use the word ‘gallantly’ for the tree?

4. Why does the poet mention the tree’s magnificence?
5. Why is the tree so precious to the poet?

6. If you had the opportunity of choosing a tree to plant in your garden, which tree would
be your choice? Give reasons for your answer.
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